Ground Hog Day - the first month

Ruins at San Francisco Cathedral c. 1700

As we have reflected on our first month in Antigua, we are reminded of the movie Ground Hog Day. In the movie, Bill Murray must repeat the same day over and over until he gets it right. This is painfully similar to our life in language school. Here is a general picture of a day in the life of a Spanish student:

6:00 - 6:15 - Wake up and start shower schedule
6:45 - 7:15 - Scrounge up breakfast - usually cereal, bagels or toast.
7:30 - 7:45 - Walk to school
8:00 - 10:00 - Learn new vocabulary, conjugate verbs and TRY to converse like a 3-year old in Spanish.
10:00 - 10:30 - Snack break
10:30 - 12:00 - More Spanish class (kids work on homeschool work)
12:15 - Walk home to make lunch - usually sandwiches or leftovers
1:00 - 2:00 - Mandatory rest time - recharge brains
2:00 - 5:00 - Misc activities for kids, but mostly Spanish homework for L & A.
5:00 - 7:00 - Make dinner, eat and wash dishes
7:00 - Kids get showers, sometimes Skype friends & family
8:30 - Kids in bed reading, L & A reading books or email
9:45 - 10:00 - lights out
REPEAT Monday through Friday. (you might also note that all the above activities include all four of us being together ALL the time - 24/7!) Maybe one day we will get it right and can move on to the next thing.

Sometimes, it feels exactly like the day before except MAYBE we got a few more right answers in Spanish class than the day before. We do get a small amount of variety in the daily schedule. For example, at least once a week we eat lunch out and then go to the supermarket for the week's groceries. It always seems to be pouring down rain when we leave the store - so Lee hails a couple of tuk-tuks (taxis) and we bounce home. On Sundays - instead of language school, we go to Spanish/English church. Then we have lunch with Jared & Joy - our new friends in Antigua.

This is a tuk-tuk (taxi)

Despite the sameness of our daily schedule - we have managed to have a few new experiences in the mix. We have explored many different areas of Antigua. We have shared some meals with new friends. One day, we went to the market and bought bikes for Lee and the kids. (Then walked them home in the pouring rain) The boys walked up the hill above Antigua to the Cross on the hill. We have toured some really beautiful ruins and ancient buildings.

Parker & Anna Kate on their new bikes!

El mercado at San Francisco

Close up of carved angel in ruins from 1700's

Please don't believe the above ramblings to be a rant or a complaint. We are really enjoying the experience of living in Antigua. This is a wonderful place to transition our family into the culture. We love school, even if it is really hard! The Lord has some very special purposes to accomplish during this time. He is challenging us, changing us, refining us. This isn't always comfortable, but we are humbled to be in the process of chasing after Him and his call on our family. Not to us - but to His name be the glory forever!